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Critique My System Please!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Critique My System Please!

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Hello all--

My current PC was purchased in 10th grade--roughly 4 years ago. Struggling with Crysis and newer games has me building an entirely new system. The rundown is:

- $1500 budget, preferably with tax & shipping.
- A relatively future-proof system.
- I worked my ass off at my last job to make some dough, so it has to be spent wisely!

Here's what my homework has provided for me thus far (excluding mail-in rebates; please feel free to suggest other options!):

  • Samsung DVD Burner $27.99 - does what it does; cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151173

  • WD Caviar 640gb HD $84.99 - good speed, nice capacity, good bang for your gigabyte buck, low heat.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

  • VisionTek Radeon HD 4870 512mb 256-bit GDDR5 GPU $260 - from what I've read, powerful card; cheap price for higher-end card; runs hot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129113

  • Corsair 750w PSU rated at 80%+ w/one 12v rail $129.99 - may be overkill for this build, but provides stability and the ability to crossfire/SLI if I ever choose to.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

  • G.SKILL 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2-800 SDRAM $69.99 - cheap, well performing RAM. Is higher speed RAM worth it?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

  • Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield @2.83GHz $329.99 - the most expensive component in the build; fast w/relatively low heat; quad-core (which I want for future-proofing).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041

  • Foxconn P45A-S Mobo $119.99 - I was gonna go with a similar Gigabyte board, but the mixed reviews made me pick the Foxconn board; easy to overclock with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186148

  • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit $99.99 - DX10; etc.


Total comes to $1224.96 w/shipping and tax. I am also looking to purchase a $200 22in Acer monitor, so I will most likely be gaming at around 1680x1050 which is why I'm not going with a dual-GPU system at the moment.

I am deciding between the Antec 900, Antec 1200, and the CoolerMaster Cosmos. I want to be set on cooling (will only do mild overclocking, if any). These must be included in the budget. Also, are there any components worth waiting for? I mean really waiting for? I was going to do this build at the beginning of the year, but held off for the new GPUs... I don't want to wait forever :)

Thanks guys, your help is appreciated!


Message edited by nisten on 09-11-2008 at 06:34:44 PM
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Very solid build. I can't really see anything that needs to be changed. You could go this the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R. Don't trust newegg customer comments. Or theASUS P5Q, although it only has one PCIex16. Including shipping it's only $10 more than the other two. The ASUS P5Q Pro would keep the crossfire option open, but it's $20 more than the Foxconn.

Reply to Wanker79

I think I'd also choose Gigabyte, Biostar, or Asus over Foxconn. By the time you get your monitor, you'll be near your budget. Consider the CoolerMaster RC-690 for your case. Cooling is excellent, and it includes three 120mm fans. It costs less than the others, possibly at buy.com.
If you get the P5Q Pro that Wanker linked, you might start with a single 4850 now to make budget, and add a second one for Crossfire later.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
Reply to jtt283

Solid built, althought I wouldn't use a Foxconn board. I would try Gigabyte or Asus, just a personal preference. +1 to OP

------------------------------ Antec P182, i7 920 3.8Ghz @ 1.325V, Xigmatek 1283, Asus P6T X58, 3 x 2048MB OCZ Plat DDR3 1600 RAM, 2 EVGA GTX260 Core 216 in SLI, WD 160gb,320GB 1TB WD Black. Corsair 750TX. Acer 24" Monitor. Vista x64 Home Premium.
Reply to one-shot

Definitely go with Gigabyte over Foxconn. While the Foxconn hardware is alright their support really sucks. Their website is a lot more helpful then it use to be though. Anyway Gigabyte definitely makes a better product and has better support. I'd say go with MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, DFI, and even ASRock over Foxconn.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
Reply to megamanx00

Thanks for all the help guys. Any case recommendations? I was thinking either the Antec 900, Antec 1200 or Cooler Master Cosmos 1000.

Reply to nisten
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